Summary

This volume contains articles on new mineral species and new finds of rare minerals, among them – Nalivkinite, a
new mineral of the astrophyllite group; new finds of Dzhalindite, Mo-bearing Stolzite and Greenockite in ores of the
Budgaya, Eastern Transbaikalia; new finds of black Powellite in molybdenum-uranium deposit of Southern
Kazakhstan. Corundum-bearing Pegmatite from the Khibiny massif and Columbite-Tantalite group minerals of raremetal
tantalum-bearing amazonite-albite granites from Eastern Transbaikalia and Southern Kazakhstan are
described. There is also an article on mineralogical and geochemical features of uranium ores from Southeastern
Transbaikalia deposits. New data on titanium-rich Biotite and on polymorphs of anhydrous dicalcium orthosilicate
are published.
“Mineralogical Museums and Collections” section contains articles on collections and exhibits of Fersman
Mineralogical Museum RAS: on the collection of mining engineer I.N. Kryzhanovsky; on Faberge Eggs from the
funds of this museum (including a describing of symbols on the box with these eggs); on the exhibition devoted to
A.E. Fersman’s 125th anniversary and to 80 years of the first edition of his famous book “Amuzing Mineralogy” and
the review of Fersman Mineralogical Museum acquisitions in 2006–2008. This section includes also some examples
from the history of discovery of national deposits by collection’s specimens.
In “Personalities” section there is article on A.E. Fersman’s Uralian expeditions and on his role in the organization of
the Ilmeny State Reserve; arcticle on the life and the activity of Professor G.P. Barsanov, the director of the Fersman
Mineralogical Museum in 1952–1976.
“Mineralogical Notes” section is devoted to Fe-dominant Bogdanovite from cementation zone of the Aginsky goldtelluride
deposit, Kamchatka; and on the find of Mackinawite inclusions in grossular at the Talnakh Achtarandite
locality.
In “Discussions” section there is a paper on problems of species formation in mineralogy where minerals of variable
composition and with variable structure are discussed on the example of eudialyte-eucolites.
The volume is interesting for mineralogists, geochemists, geologists, collaborators of Natural History museums, collectors
and minerals-amateurs.

New data on a number of rare minerals of In, Cd, Mo, and W, which have been obtained using modern analytical
techniques, are described in this article. These minerals have been identified in gold-rich polymetallic ore superimposed
on Mo(W) stockwork porphyry mineralization. Indium mineralization presents extremely rare dzhalindite
In(OH)3 that was previously described in Russia only from deposits Dzhalinda, Amur region and Verkhnee,
Primorsky krai as supergene mineral. Tungsten and molybdenum are concentrated in rare intermediate phase of
the wulfenite-stolzite series Pb(W0.74Mo0.26)O4, and Cd, in greenockite CdS. Occurrence of well-shaped cubic crystals of dzhalindite exclusively in quartz and association of the mineral with sphalerite, native silver, and electrum
allow suggesting its hypogene origin (in contrast to previous findings as supergene pseudomorphs after indium
sulfide). However, additional investigation is required to establish formation conditions of dzhalindite. читать далее...

New data on black powellite from a Mo-U deposit, South Kazakhstan are given. Bipyramidal crystals of the mineral
have been found in intimate association with uranium minerals of the oxidized zone, including uranyl-arsenate mica (uramarsite) and uranyl silicate uranophane-beta. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis (DTA), analytical scanning electron microscopy (ASEM), electron microprobe, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRFA), and laser spectrography have been performed to examine the mineral. Two varieties of powellite have been identified: crystalline in uranophane and amorphous in uranate. The causes of black color of powellite are discussed. This coloration of powellite can be prospecting guide for deposits of radioactive elements. читать далее...

Azarova Yu.V., Shlyukova Z.V.
Corundum-bearing Pegmatite of Crossing Trend of Eevolution of the Khibiny Massif and their Role in Reconstruction of Parental Rocks of Host Pre-Proterozoic Hornfels, p. 31 - 36

Corundum-bearing pegmatoids located within the Svintsovy (Lead) Creek, Mount Kukisvumchorr are studied.
Mineralogy of these pegmatoid bodies and its changes in the direction from nepheline syenite to xenolith of hornfels
are described in detail. Microinclusions in corundum, sodalite, and nepheline are investigated. Formation
process of the pegmatoids and initial composition of annite-feldspar hornfels are proposed. читать далее...

Mineralogical investigation of three tantalum-bearing granite massifs Orlovskoe and Aetykinskoe (Transbaikalia)
and Maykul`skoe (Kazakhstan) has been conducted. Typomorphic peculiar features of the columbite–tantalite
(Col-Ta) group minerals in these massifs according to their connection with different age phase and facial granite
varieties have been revealed. It has been shown that combined with the other typomorphic signs crystal morphology
peculiar features of the Col-Ta group minerals could be advantageously used during the geological prospecting
for the survey and estimation of tantalum ore occurrences within the massifs of amazonite–albite rare metal
subalkalic type granites. Col-Ta typomorphic signs may be also used at the stage of the detailed and exploitation
exploration during the mineralogical and technological mapping of tantalum deposits in such massifs. читать далее...

A.A. Chernikov discovered the uranium-molybdenum hydrochemical anomaly in the southern Argun region
(southeastern Transbaikalia) that had been forcible argument for geological substantiation to renew research and
exploration for uranium in this region. This anomaly is important to understand a state of supergene zone of uranium
deposits with leached near-surface oxidired zone in the region. The Strel’tsovsk-Antei largest uranium
deposits in Russia (Laverov et al., 1991, 1992) are characterized by great vertical extension (2.7 km) of ore mineralization
and variation of ore mineralogy, mineralogy of metasomatic and host rocks downward (Ishchukova and
Modnikov, 1991; Andreeva et al., 1996; Chernikov, 2006/2007). Chernyshov and Golobev (1996) reported and we
confirmed in this study that massive pitchblende ore was deposited within interval 134–136 (~150) Ma. Isotopic
age of “protore” is 250–260 (~300) Ma; age of Th-bearing uraninite is ~500 Ma and older. New data indicated that
uranium (IV) oxides and silicates, including coffinite, uranium titanates, and brannerite, in ore of the Antei deposit
are young, from zero to few Ma. Exclusively very young uranium (IV) silicates and titanates are observed at lower
levels of the Anntei deposit. These mineral precipitated from meteoric water infiltrated from surface into deep levels
of the deposit. The basic level of karst and fracture rocks can be probable outflow area of meteoric water at the
Argun deposit. Distribution of oxygen and carbon isotopes in the Argun and Antei structural clusters confirms the
main role of meteoric solution to form various minerals at the uranium deposits; this is important for revealing additional
exploration and estimation criteria for these deposits. Large uranium accumulations are predicted to the
northward of the Strel’tsovsk structure. читать далее...

Crystal Chemistry, Minerals as Prototypes of New Materials, Physical and Chemical Properties of Minerals

This article describes new data on polymorphous modifications (a, a’L, a’H, b, g) of Ca2SiO4. Structural features and mechanisms of phase transition between Ca2SiO4 polymorphs interrelated to modifications of K-Na sulfate aphthitalite (glaserite) K3Na[SO4]2 have been analyzed with regard to modular theory and theory of the closest packing. The major structural module [12]M(1)[6]M(1’)[10]M(2)2[TO4]2 (M = K, Na, Ca, Mg; T = S, Si) has been revealed for the Ca2SiO4 modifications and relative natural “glaserite-type” silicate minerals, bredigite Ca7Mg[SiO4]4 and merwinite Ca3Mg[SiO4]2; and calcio-olivine (γ-Ca2SiO4) examined by the authors. The structural glaserite modules
similar in symmetry and composition in the structures of described compounds account for topotactic character
and reversible phase transition between the Ca2SiO4 polymorphs on the one hand and abundant assemblages of
the mineral series on the other. читать далее...

Titanium-rich mica of the biotite series (“wodanite”) was found in tefrite of paleovolcano Rothenberg, Eifel,
Germany, and studied by combining of electron microprobe analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal structure
analysis. The mineral is monoclinic, space group C2/m; unit-cell parameters are: a = 5.3165(1), b = 9.2000(2),
c = 10.0602(2) Å, b = 100.354(2) . The presence of Ti results in strong distortion of the octahedron M(2). IR spectrum
demonstrates the absence of detectable amounts of OH groups. The empirical formula of Ti-rich biotite is:
(K0.74Na0.15Ca0.05)S0.94(Mg1.60Ti0.74Fe2+0.62Cr0.04)S3.00[(Si2.61Al1.29Fe3+0.10)S4.00O10](O1.17F0.71). Regularities of isomorphous substitutions, as well as genesis of Ti-rich micas of the biotite series are discussed. The idealized formula of the magnesium-titanium end member of this series is: K(Mg2Ti)(Si3AlO10)O2. читать далее...

Mineralogical Museums and Collections

Collection of mining engineer I.N. Kryzhanovsky was purchased for the Mineralogical museum of the Academy
of Science by the efforts of academician V.I. Vernadsky, A.E. Fersman and V.I. Kryzhanovsky in 1912. The collection
accounts more than 4500 mineral specimens mainly from the Urals and Siberia and had an exceptional scientific
significance for the studies of mineralogy of Russia. It was gathered and professionally formatted by the father
and the sons Kryzhanovsky. There is a full catalog with precise designation of a mineral, its original locality and
comments on the collection gathering and brief description of the minerals by groups. Overview of the collection
material held at the Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Science is provided. читать далее...

Generalov M.E.
Fabergé Eggs for Everyone. Point of Value, p. 86 - 89

This article describes a set of Fabergé keychain eggs from the collection of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of
the RAS. The weight, size, and manufacturing material were compared to the original labels on the boxes, which
helped to decode their original price range. читать далее...

Kuzmin V.I., Skorobogatova N.V.
To the History of Discovery of Some National Deposits by Collection’s Specimens, p. 90 - 96

The history of geological discoveries has many bright examples of deposits found by the sample material from
the field works of previous years or as a result of thorough looking through a museum collection. Several such a
finds have significantly increased the country’s mineral resources base and are described in the article. In particular
this article will detail in the main role of plentiful gathering of the Fedorov museum in the Urals in the discovery
of the major bauxite deposits; reclamation of Chorukh-Dairon sheelite deposit which was found by N.A. Smolyaninov by museum’s specimens; the epic history of search for kimberlites in Siberia using “pyrope path” method invented by A.A. Kukharenko based on his collection of South African kimberlites; the Zheltaya Reka (Zheltorechenskoe) deposit, the first uranium deposit in the USSR, and several other deposits is also described. The data provided will show the importance of careful keeping and practical use of mineral collections and using previous geological works for continuation and success of the later studies. читать далее...

1337 new mineral specimens were catalogued into main inventory of Fersman Mineralogical Museum RAS in
2006–2008. Those specimens represented by 580 mineral species from 66 countries and from ocean floor and
space as well. Among them 200 species are new for Museum collections including 50 species that were discovered
during this period. Fifteen of those species were discovered with participation of Museum staff members. Of the
species obtained 61 represented by type specimens, cotypes or their fragments. By the end of 2008 the number of
valid mineral species in Museum reached 3200. Of the newly acquired items 792 (60%) were donated by 150 persons
and by 6 organisations (including about 4.5% obtained as type specimens); 95 specimens (7%) were purchased;
261 (20%) were exchanged and – 157 (about 12%) were collected by Museum staff. Other types of acquisitions
are about 1%. A review of new acquisitions classified by mineral species, geography, it’s types and sources.
The list of new species for Museum given in attachment. читать далее...

Mineralogical Notes

Fe-dominated bogdanovite, Au5CuFe2(Te,Pb)2, a specific supergene mineral, occurs in the weathering profile (in cementation zone) of the Aginsky gold-telluride deposit, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Bogdanovite has been formed as a result of replacement of hypogene kostovite, krennerite, sylvanite, altaite, nagyagite, bornite, and chalcopyrite.
The mineral is associated with Fe-Pb and Fe-Cu-Pb tellurites. In the oxidized zone, bogdanovite is replaced by finegrained
segregations of gold, balyakinite, and plumbotellurite. The composition of Fe-dominated bogdanovite (average
of four point analyses) is as follows, wt %: 60.35 Au, 2.19 Ag, 4.63 Cu, 9.33 Fe, 9.99 Te, 12.83 Pb, 0.07 Se; total is
99.39. Formula is as follows: Au4.33Ag0.29Cu1.03Fe2.36Te1.11Pb0.87Se0.01. Bogdanovite has a metallic type of conductivity and relatively high microhardness VHN20 = 290–354 kg/mm2, average 321 kg/mm2 (n = 14). The mineral is anisotropic, biaxial. It is extremely specific in reflected light. Color bireflectance varying from grey and light violet to bright golden and red, and strong color anisotropy are characteristic features. Reflectance ranges from 2 to 43% in visible light.
Change of reflectance sign at 670 nm is typical. According to optical parameters, the symmetry of bogdanovite is not
higher than orthorhombic. According to X-ray diffraction data, bogdanovite is interstitial superstructure of the Me4X
type derived from face-centered lattice of gold. Parameter of the primitive pseudocubic subcell is 4.087 Å. Color
images of Fe-dominated bogdanovite are first shown that will assist for corrected application of term bogdanovite. читать далее...

The discovery of mackinawite in paragenesis with magnesio-chromite within inclusions in grossular garnet at the Otdel’naya mountain locality of achtarandite in the Talnakh region is described. An occurence of the mackinawite is an evidence of the lowtemperature conditions of the achtarandite mineral association formation. читать далее...

Discussions

Borutzky B.Ye.
The Essays on Fundamental and Genetic Mineralogy: 3. Minerals of Variable Composition with Variable Structure
and Problems of Species Formation in Mineralogy. Eudialyte-Eucolites, p. 148 - 173

This paper is one of a series on genetic and fundamental mineralogy (Borutzky, 2005; 2006) where the problem of
mineral species definition are discussed. In particular, the correlation of such fundamental terms in mineralogy as
mineral – mineral species – mineral variety are considered, and compared to analogous nomenclature units in
biology – another natural science. Also, the necessity for a genetic basis in mineral species definition is shown and
the natural genetic taxonomy elaborated and applied to the feldspar group is demonstrated; this approach was
used for the corresponding part in “Minerals” reference book (2003). The author insists that formalised structural
and chemical criteria for mineral species recommended by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA)
Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) without consideration of genesis discredits
mineralogical science, because the result in unwarranted “reproduction” of abstract species which do not
correspond to real discrete mineral entities widespread in certain geological environments. The paper is devoted
to the detailed consideration of so-called minerals of variable composition and variable structure defined by the
author (Borutzky, 1997; 1999) using the example of eudialyte-eucolites, and also the scientific and opportunistic
problems accompanying the study of these chemically and structurally unique minerals. читать далее...